David Byrne and Fatboy Slim have a new album, inspired by Imelda Marcos.

JAKOB DYLAN

“Women + Country”

***

DESPITE his pop’s megastar status in the music pantheon, Jakob Dylan is his own man.

On his second solo record, Dylan the younger displays his own sound and style, even while embracing the timelessness of folk music and the blues like his dad did.

The singer-songwriter, who once fronted the alt-rock act the Wallflowers, immerses the music in acoustic arrangements that depend on strong lyrics. It’s kind of what Zim did early on, but in Jakob’s songs, there is an underscore of hope and spiritualism rather than politics and activism.

The opening song, “Nothing but the Whole Wide World,” sets the CD’s mood when he sings “God wants us busy, never giving up, he wants nothing but the whole wide world for us.”

To help him achieve the down-home feel, 40-year- old Dylan hired roots master and Oscar winner T Bone Burnett to produce. (Burnett worked with him previously on the Wallflowers’ “Bring Down the Horse” album.) Singers Neko Case and Kelly Hogan are also vital to this record, often softening Dylan’s sound with their sweet backup harmonies.

Between upbeat melodies and optimistic lyrics that tell stories, on this one Jakob seems more influenced by Bruce than by Bob.

DAVID BYRNE & FATBOY SLIM

“Here Lies Love”

***½

THROUGH the eyes of David Byrne, everything and anything can become art. So it’s hardly shocking that the one-time frontman for the Talking Heads found inspiration for “Here Lies Love” in the life of former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos and the lesser known Estrella Cumpas (the poor servant woman who raised her as a child).

Musically, this song cycle spins in a whirl of world music, funk and disco beats. It’s a double-CD package that includes a six-video DVD and a 120-page book that somehow explores Marcos’ lust for excess, abuse of power and selfishness without mentioning the woman’s vast shoe collection. Still, at the close of this record, while you might not care for Marcos, you’ll know her beyond her pumps, mules and flats.

Byrne’s unlikely partnership with Fatboy Slim turns out to be a fine marriage. Slim is razor sharp at placing proper beats in the music to recall the late-night ’70s New York club scene (of which Marcos was a regular during visits to NYC).

Byrne fans be warned: This project is a total collaborative effort. In addition to Byrne, the vocals are handled by many pop singers — including Florence Welch, who sings the title song “Here Lies Love,” as well as Nellie McKay, Tori Amos, Natalie Merchant, Sharon Jones and others.

If after listening to this epic, operatic collection you’re imagining the whole story onstage, you’re right on track: The Public Theater is developing a staged version.